SAO PAULO — Brazilian club Palmeiras has hired Argentine coach Ricardo Gareca with a contract to June 2015.

Gareca replaces Gilson Kleina, who was fired two weeks ago after the team lost three straight matches. Palmeiras has won three in a row since then, under the interim command of Alberto Valentim.

The 56-year-old Gareca had been without a club since leaving Velez Sarsfield late last year. He won four titles with Velez in Argentina. He also previously coached Universitario of Peru, winning the local league in 2008.